My Kids Got Their First Bee Stings at The Lake - Here is What I Did as a Holistic Minded Nurse & Mama

My Kids Got Their First Bee Stings at the Lake – Here’s What I Did

A few weeks ago, we were enjoying a warm day at the lake playing with cousins when suddenly, everything changed in an instant.

Two of my kids were stung by bees for the first time. We were an hour away from the nearest hospital, which feels like forever if your child ends up having a severe allergic reaction. My nurse brain immediately started running through scenarios while my mama heart was racing. As a nurse I've cared for patients in the ER who have had anaphylactic reactions to bee stings and it is a life threatening emergency. So I was on high alert monitoring to see how my kids would respond to their first bee stings.

Thankfully, they only had localized reactions: redness, swelling, pain, and tears. But this experience reminded me why I keep certain natural remedies as well as life saving medications on hand to use if needed.

What Natural Remedies I used for Their Bee Stings

Here’s what I did to help them naturally and safely while keeping an eye for any signs of severe reactions or anaphylaxis:

• Calmed them with snuggles

• If there was a stinger I would remove it with this Bug Bite Thing. I keep it in my travel bag to use for bug bites and bee stings.

• Applied Black Drawing Salve from Earthley to help pull out any of the toxins and soothe the irritated skin (15% off Earthley discount code: holisticheidi10)

• Applied Active Skin Repair to help prevent any infections and promote skin healing. This is one of my favorite non-toxic skin products we use the most for any minor skin damage like cuts, minor wounds, rashes, sun burns, rashes, bug bites, ect. (10% off Active Skin Repair with this link)

• Gave them Apis Mellifica homeopathy which works great for insect bites and helping with the pain and swelling. You can buy homeopathy at most natural food stores locally. I buy mine online through Fullscript and my Fullscript link will take 20% off for you to!

The Medications I Keep on Hand for Moderate to Severe Reactions:

• Dye Free Kids Liquid Benadryl or Dye Free Kids Liquid Zyrtec, while not a natural remedy, I keep this on hand for any signs of systemic reactions, as it can buy critical time if a severe allergic reaction develops. The more research I have done it seems that Kids Zyrtec can often be a safer option for kids as it is less sedating.

• Kids Epinephrine Injector: As a nurse and mom, this is a non-negotiable for peace of mind. Anaphylaxis can escalate quickly, and having an epinephrine injector on hand can save a life while waiting for emergency help. I do not think every family needs a kids epi pen on hand! However, for my family it is a must because we spend a lot of time in the wilderness or hours away from cell service and medical help. You do need a prescription for an epi pen so you can ask your healthcare provider if they would be open to writing you a prescription for it. I bought mine online through a company I love called Jase Medical. You do have to purchase their Kids Jase Cases and then add on the kids epi pen to your order, but for my family it was well worth the investment. (Jase Medical Discount code: JAM-2323)

Signs of a Severe Allergic Reaction to Watch For:

• Difficulty breathing or wheezing

• Swelling of the face, lips, or throat

• Hives spreading beyond the sting area

• Dizziness or confusion

• Vomiting

Why This Matters

While we prefer natural, gentle remedies, emergencies remind us that you will never regret being prepared. I am grateful my kids were okay, but this was a powerful reminder that being a realistic holistic Mama means balancing natural approaches with emergency readiness. You got this Mama! Be prepared, not scared.

Note: this blog does contain affiliate links and I may earn a small commission if you decide to use my links. By no means feel obligated to use my links. I hope this blog blesses you!